No one wants to hand-crank a ton of fiberglass while a Saturday
crowd looks on, and the fact is, you shouldn't need to.

A float-on trailer with correctly positioned bunks and guide poles
makes loading and launching a breeze. In the Florida salt, however,
special attention--and cash--must be devoted to trailer construction and
maintenance, particularly submerged wheel bearings.

For some boat owners, an electric winch is a suitable alternative.
The remote control, or RC, type is especially attractive. With
well-maintained rollers on your trailer, and slicks on the bunks, you
may find it feasible to keep your trailer high and dry without breaking
a sweat.

I've enjoyed good results with the Powerwinch by Carefree of
Colorado (www.powerwinch.com). The company sells complete kits with
wiring harness and quick disconnect mounts. Cost ranges from $200 to
$500. As with any winch system, select a model rated for the weight of
your vessel, taking into account the incline of the ramp.

Installation instructions are easy to follow. I chose temporary
wiring, which allows me to switch vehicles when needed. I crimped
alligator clips to the ends of the wire harness. A dedicated deep cycle
battery kept in the trunk of the tow vehicle is convenient; make sure
you charge it periodically. (This extra battery may also come in handy in the event you need to jump-start a boat or truck at the ramp.)

Permanent wiring requires you to run the wiring under the vehicle
to the battery, attaching tie wraps at approximately 18-inch intervals
to the vehicle frame.

Power winches generally have similar operating instructions. When
launching, turn the clutch control clockwise to release the brake. Do
this slowly to control the speed at which the boat comes off the
trailer; the clutch knob is like the safety on your hand-crank winch.
You may have to give it a push.

Loading requires extra power, so plug the wiring harness into the
winch. Free wheel enough cable to hook the bow and tighten the clutch
knob to set the brake. Now press the IN button on the winch or remote
control. When the boat reaches the bow stop, take your finger off the
button and disconnect the harness. Don't forget to use a safety
chain and trailer straps when you're ready to hit the road.

All modern, high-quality power winches have an emergency hand-crank
lever in case your truck battery goes dead or you forgot your winch
cell. Also, remember to keep your truck engine running while winching; a
hard-working winch can drain a car battery in just one pull. Some
boaters opt to upgrade their automotive alternators or starting
batteries for this reason.

A few important details to consider: Secure your investment with
anti-theft protection. I used a Master coupler lock to protect my winch
from thieves. At the least, throw an old towel or make a raggedy canvas
cover for it, to keep your new winch out of sight.

Hydraulic Recovery Winch

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Hydraulic winches, such as those made by Mile Marker
(www.milemarker.com), run off the vehicle power steering pump while the
truck is running. These rarely overheat, but they are more complicated
to install due to a solenoid necessary to activate fluid to the winch.
Mile Marker also has quick disconnect kits with removable stands, which
can be used on the front or rear of a tow vehicle on the common receiver
hitch. Great to have in the woods or for the fisherman/duck hunter who
needs to launch and retrieve in awkward places. This system can be
adapted to a boat trailer and would be a great choice for continuous
work.

On the subject, I feel every marina should have a recovery
winch--hydraulic or electric. I have seen trucks and cars literally
swallowed by boat ramps. Winches definitely make it easier to get out of
tough places and recover personal property.

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